SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin looks certain to return from knee tendinitis next week and could be joined by devastating midfielder Dan Hannebery.

Franklin was a late withdrawal — ruling himself out of Friday night’s win against Essendon -despite enjoying a bye just two weeks earlier, giving the $10 million spearhead his fourth break this season.

Swans coach John Longmire said he expected Franklin to line up against Port Adelaide on Saturday and Hannebery (ankle) would train today as he aims to return for his first match in seven weeks.

“(Franklin) was worried about getting through the game,” Longmire said.

“It’s been really good his tendinitis up to this point, it just flared up a bit from last week. He should be right.

“He’s a pretty good judge of when he can play and when he can’t. He’s been able to play with a sore knee and contribute really well during the course of the year.”

Franklin’s Coleman Medal hopes took a dive with his exclusion but the former Hawk has slotted 50.37 this season and banged through Sydney’s final five goals as it held out the Power in their Round 13 thriller.

Norm Smith medallist Ryan O'Keefe is a chance to play for a different AFL club next year.Source:Supplied

Goodes said O’Keefe, a 286-game veteran, should find a new home in the exchange period.

“We have got to talk about why Ryan is not getting a game and that’s because Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker are our inside midfielders and these guys are having career-best seasons,” Goodes said on ABC radio.

“He (O’Keefe) is so driven and if he wants to keep playing than so be it, unfortunately, at another club because he will play senior football again.”

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